What Is Co-Sleeping? What You Need to Know About Bed-Sharing and Family Beds
Co-sleeping offers cozy nighttime comfort for kids who find effortless sleep and security nestled alongside their parents. Whether it's an everyday expectation or an occasional practice, the appeal of co-sleeping is forging family bonds, soothing kids' anxieties, and syncing your bedtime, sleep, and morning routines. In this article, we explore the nuances of co-sleeping—its benefits, its challenges, and the considerations families should weigh when choosing this sleep arrangement.
What Is Co-Sleeping or Bed-Sharing?
Co-sleeping, also known as bed-sharing, is a sleep arrangement where a child or children share a bed with one or both of their parents. For some families, co-sleeping may be a nightly routine. For others, it’s an occasional or temporary arrangement. Common motivations for co-sleeping include bonding, giving children a sense of availability and security, and helping kids through stages of fear, anxiety, and nightmares.
Co-Sleeping Benefits
As parents of young kids know, children often want closeness to their parents, siblings, and pets for both security and connection. Your kids may have their own bedrooms, but do they often end up knocking on your door and climbing into your bed when they can’t sleep?
Whether you co-sleep regularly or “as needed,” sharing a bed fosters emotional connection and may help children feel safe and at ease. This connection and sense of security go both ways—as a parent, you may rest easier with your kids cuddled close. Plus, if your kids start the night sleeping at your side, it means they won’t disrupt your sleep by crawling into your bed in the middle of the night.
Co-Sleeping Concerns
By nature, the more people (and pets) sharing a bed, the more likely it is that your sleep will be disrupted by someone else’s movements or noises. Especially if you have different sleep schedules or restless sleepers in your family, sharing a space can make it difficult to get uninterrupted, restorative rest. Regular co-sleeping also limits privacy for parents and may delay night-time and sleep independence for children.
Is Co-Sleeping Safe? At What Age?
While generally safe for older children, co-sleeping is NOT recommended for infants.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), following safe sleep recommendations can prevent many Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) fatalities. To reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths, the AAP recommends:
1. Placing infants on their backs for sleep in their own sleep space with no other people
2. Using a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet
3. Keeping loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers, and other soft items out of the sleep space
Talk to your child’s pediatrician if they’re 1 year old or older and you’re considering co-sleeping on an occasional or regular basis. A doctor can help you determine how much space and how firm a sleep surface your child needs. You should also discuss safe bedding choices and general sleep hygiene practices. You should know that co-sleeping isn’t for everyone—your doctor, your child’s pediatrician, or a sleep specialist will be the best consultant for any concerns and sleep arrangement recommendations.
What Size Bed Do Co-Sleeping Families Need?
The more people and pets who share a bed, the more space you need to sprawl out and sleep! That’s where an oversized mattress comes into play.
An oversized bed is any bed size beyond the standard Twin through California King lineup offered by most mattress brands. See the chart below for a summary of the most common oversized mattress options, their capacity, and the minimum bedroom size needed to accommodate each bed size.
Co-Sleeping Family Bed
At Alaskan King Sleep, we specialize in the biggest bed size on the market: the Alaskan King. Spacious Alaskan King mattresses measure 9 feet wide by 9 feet long, offering plenty of room for families of all sizes.
While you can comfortably fit two adults and four kids in an Alaskan King bed, many smaller families still choose this premium size to give everyone more personal space. Having extra room to spread out isn’t just important for sleep, but also for lounging in bed while watching TV, reading, or just relaxing and spending quality time with one another.
Luxe Alaskan King Mattress
Tips for Quality Sleep and Successful Bed-Sharing
Whether you’re co-sleeping regulars or upsizing to your first family bed, enforcing routines and setting boundaries can help you and your kids share your sleep space without losing sleep.
Establish a Routine
Maintaining regular sleep and wake times is essential for consistent, quality rest at all ages. Sticking to a schedule will strengthen your circadian rhythms, helping you feel tired at bedtime and alert throughout the day. It may help you and your kids to end your day with sleep prep routines (putting on pajamas, brushing teeth, skincare, etc.) and relaxing activities like stretching or reading. It’s equally important to wake up around the same time every day, even on the weekends.
Claim Your Space
Make sure everyone has a designated spot in the bed with enough room to stretch out, switch sleep positions, and toss and turn a little without disturbing anyone else. While you may snuggle together beforehand, it’s important to have your own space when it’s time to sleep. If needed, you can use pillows as barriers to carve out your own personal space.
Child-Proof the Whole Room
Co-sleeping means sharing more than just your bed—it means inviting your kids into your bedroom space. Make sure the entire room is safe and comfortable for your children and pets. Depending on your kids’ ages, child-proofing the room may entail anchoring furniture, securing outlets, locking drawers, and more.
Keep Your Bedroom Comfortably Cool
Research suggests that around 65 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature for sleep. Setting the thermostat to around the temperature may help everyone in the family stay contently cozy without risking overheating and night sweats. Lowering the temperature at night can also help support healthy circadian rhythms, as the relative coolness signals to the body that it’s evening and time for bed.
Disclaimer: Alaskan King Sleep does not provide medical advice. All resources on the Alaskan King Sleep blog, including this article, are informational only and do not replace professional medical counsel. Talk to your doctor or your child’s pediatrician about any health, mental health, or sleep-related issues.